The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), on Wednesday received General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), along with Deputy U.S. Ambassador Justin Davis and a high-level delegation during an official visit to the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa.
The meeting, described as strategically significant, focused on deepening the bilateral partnership between Somaliland and the United States, particularly in areas of security, regional stability, and protecting shared interests in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. President Irro highlighted Somaliland’s role in maintaining peace, promoting stability, and strengthening democratic institutions in the region. He underscored the country’s commitment to border security, countering extremist groups, and ensuring safe maritime routes in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
General Dagvin Anderson noted Somaliland’s strategic importance for regional security in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, emphasizing the value of close collaboration between the two sides. Deputy Ambassador Justin Davis commended Somaliland for its disciplined military forces, political stability, and key role in regional peace and maritime security. He also highlighted the U.S. government’s commitment to enhancing security cooperation, building capacity in security institutions, and strengthening bilateral relations.
President Irro reaffirmed Somaliland’s readiness to fully cooperate with the United States to address growing regional security threats, particularly those emerging from the geopolitical competition in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, as well as the increasing activities of destabilizing groups in the region. He further emphasized the broad potential for cooperation between the two nations in defense, economic development, investment, and essential public services.
The President stressed that Somaliland remains a reliable U.S. partner located in one of the most strategically important areas of the Horn of Africa. He also highlighted that U.S. security and strategic interests in East Africa are closely tied to Somaliland, given the country’s functioning democratic institutions, professional national security forces, and its pivotal regional position.
The meeting concluded with full agreement to continue strengthening security cooperation, enhance strategic operations, and collaborate on maintaining stability in the Red Sea and the wider Horn of Africa. This partnership is aimed at ensuring mutual interests, long-term cooperation, and practical results for both sides.
Following the discussions at the Presidential Palace, the U.S. delegation, led by General Anderson and Deputy Ambassador Davis, visited Berbera International Airport, the Port of Berbera, and the coastal city of Berbera to observe the facilities and assess their strategic significance firsthand.